Food to die for in Graniteville

STATEN ISLAND, NY - GRANITEVILLE - With Lander Market looking to stand out from the local deli scene, what better way to create a name for itself than trying to provide the best food in town?

New owner Hank Luwisch has been doing just that, working together with his team to create a truly extraordinary and unforgettable menu.

"It's like a deli, but with all the workings of a great salumeria," manager Mark Salute said. Traditionally, a salumeria specializes in salami and meats other than sausages and those that can be found in a butcher shop, though these days, additional items like antipasti and pastas can be found in shops like these.

Lander Market, formerly Mignosi's, offers food that is definitely a cut above, mostly a variety of Italian and American dishes. In addition to cold cuts, it carries what amounts to a smorgasbord of chicken and beef dishes, along with fried edibles like chicken wings, ravioli, and mozzarella sticks.

The shop offers full meals fresh and ready to go. These include pasta, roast beef and turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy, meatloaf, plus eggplant and chicken. Try the chicken Romano which consists of a fried cutlet covered in garlic and oil, then topped with mozzarella cheese and a large portabello mushroom.

The heroes are another high point. From the "Godfather" of Italian sandwiches called "the De Niro and the Pacino," all the way down to the "Classic," there is a sandwich for everyone.

Mark Salute didn't hesitate when asked about the most unique item on the menu. He presented a plate with two of his own personal recipes - a prosciutto ball and two chicken cordon bleu balls. The prosciutto ball was soft and packed with flavor. When bitten into, you get a wonderful gooey mouthful with seven cheeses melted together along with pieces of ham. The chicken cordon bleu balls were bite size, almost like popcorn chicken, but not as crunchy. The filling consists of ham and cheese and its texture is that of a mozzarella stick.

These two specialty items in themselves are good enough to bring me back - many times. This food is near perfection - and I didn't even get to dessert.